Burst pipes cause damage to school building after record-breaking cold

Plastic+tubes+circulate+recycled+air+from+outside+to+help+dry+areas+affected+by+water+damage.+The+tubes+were+connected+to+a+large+air+unit+in+the+front+bus+loop+on+the+east+side+of+the+school+and+lined+upstairs+and+downstairs+hallways.+%28Photo+by+Landon+Thomas%29

Landon Thomas

Plastic tubes circulate recycled air from outside to help dry areas affected by water damage. The tubes were connected to a large air unit in the front bus loop on the east side of the school and lined upstairs and downstairs hallways. (Photo by Landon Thomas)

Over the two week period that Yukon was online during the winter weather, the school experienced some water problems. Pipes burst on the south side of the school causing leaks in 16 classrooms in the S230 and S130 hallways.
Fortunately, according to Principal Melissa Barlow, teachers’ personal items incurred very little damage.
“The damage mainly impacted the ceiling tiles and floors, with very little damage to teachers’ belongings and technology,” Barlow said.
English III and Film Studies Teacher, Erin Lucas said that she only has experienced a few noticeable damages.
“From what I can see is that only a few spines of my books were damaged that I personally owned,” Lucus said. “[Teachers] were sent forms to fill out stating what personal belongings we had which makes me infer that to some degree we should be getting reimbursed for our damaged items.”
While some structural damage to ceiling tiles is visible, the areas affected by the water damage have been treated to limit the risk of bacteria and mold.
“The tubes in the hallways are being used by the restoration company to continue to dry out the wet/damp areas of the school,” Barlow said. “All areas affected have been professionally treated and are continuing to dry.”